So, you had a bad semester, Christmas is over and your New Year’s resolution is to do better this semester academically, but with any resolution you are worried that you may break it. Don’t be alarmed, there is hope. Here are some tips to improve your GPA:
1. Attend all classes and aim high. Showing up to classes and paying attention is the key to succeeding. Don’t aim to only pass a class with the minimum grade. Remember that you must pass all major and major course requirements with a minimum C grade. Why settle for Cs then, aim for an A.
2. Maintain communication with your instructor(s). Take the initiative to make the first move to contact the instructor for clarification, progress, or just to show you do care.
3. Apply yourself in everyway. Dedicate time to outside class work, study sessions, and seek tutoring if necessary. Find a primary motivator for improving GPA such as the minimum GPA to receive scholarships, minimum GPA to join a fraternity or sorority, minimum GPA for reduction for car insurance premium, minimum GPA required for internship, a part-time job etc.
4. Prioritize your goals and activities. Your main reason for being here should be to be successful in all courses. Do not become distracted with all the other activities that are not integral to your education.
5. Unlimited resources are available. Utilize campus resources such as the Writing Center, Math Lab, MACH III, TRIO Program, Counseling Center, Library, your instructors, and your academic advisors etc.
6. Retake the class with previous instructor(s). Many students fear retaking the same instructor out of fear that was creating from failing the class previously. However, at least you will have an idea of the instructor’s teaching style, and course setup. It is easier than to lean a new instructor’s method.
7. Do not delay. Retake the course that you failed the following semester while the information is fresh in your memory. It is difficult to improve your GPA if you do not make an attempt to remove the unsatisfactory grade(s)
8. Dropping a class is costly. If you are not performing well in a course, try your best to complete the course. Dropping a class should be last resort, especially if you will receive a drop fail (DF), which is equivalent to an F. Therefore it is better to try and improve your grade than to take a DF. There are other recourses for dropping courses, such as fulfillment of attempted hours for tuition rebate, financial aid and scholarships. It will also put a dent in yours or somebody else’s pocket and extend the graduation time.
9. You may want to avoid alternatives. Retaking a course at a community college MAY satisfy the requirement for your degree program, but it will not affect (increase) your A&M-Commerce GPA.
In addition, if you took a course and failed it, make sure to retake that specific course. For example you may have failed (TYP 106) last semester. You decided you do not like that course so you took an equivalent that will satisfy that requirement (TYP 104), both grades will be calculated in your TAMU-Commerce’s GPA.
10. Take responsibility for your actions. What you put in will be what you get out. You are the only person who will be held accountable for your success or failure.
With these tips in mind, go and make yourself and the Lions family proud!